Sophomore QBs Who Will Improve the Most In 2nd NFL Season

The biggest leap for an NFL player tends to occur between their first and second seasons. It's their first full professional offseason. The individual now knows what to expect. They can establish a certain comfort level. All of this applies across the board, though this point in the process is particularly important in the development in young starting quarterbacks.

The 2024 class proved to be historic, with six different quarterbacks hearing their names called among the top 12 draft selections. This group experienced varying degrees of success in their first season.

On one side of the spectrum, Jayden Daniels emerged as the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and legitimate franchise signal-caller. Conversely, J.J. McCarthy didn't play in a single game because of injury.

As such, expectations should vary based on what was seen a year ago, specifically how much they can improve upon what they put on tape during their rookie campaigns. But all of them face increasing expectations as sophomores and they know it.

"Look, [Bo Nix] is someone who works his tail off, wants to improve," Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton told reporters on Wednesday. " And he's gone and visited [Drew] Brees for four or five days. ... There's a lot he wants to absorb in a fast period of time, and that's a great thing for a young player like that."

Circumstances can change drastically from one season to the next. Of the six quarterbacks drafted in last year's opening frame, which one has the best chance to take the biggest leap in Year 2? Spoiler alert: It's not the quarterback who helped propel his team to the NFC Championship Game and made the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

6. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy can't improve upon his rookie season when he didn't even play thanks to an MCL tear he experienced during preseason. He has yet to establish a baseline.

For all intents and purposes, McCarthy is entering his rookie campaign.

The Vikings didn't skip a beat without last year's 10th overall pick in the lineup. Sam Darnold experienced a career revival during his one season in Minnesota, while the team finished with a 14-3 record. Darnold left in free agency to join the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. Meanwhile, the Vikings are handing McCarthy the keys to the offense.

Despite not playing as a rookie, head coach Kevin O'Connell did what he could to help in the quarterback's development.

"I just wanted to give him a platform with me," O'Connell told ESPN's Kevin Seifert. "Maybe it was football one day. Maybe it was no football. My time is very hard to find during the season, but I just wanted to make sure that we got together.

"The one thing I learned about him in those meetings is he had great questions, and that validated that he was receiving and getting something out of that time. And as I've told him, it doesn't really guarantee you anything, but once you're fighting the fight on a daily basis of growing within the system, he would be able to rely on some of what we did together."

It's now time for McCarthy to translate all of the mental reps he took as a rookie and translate them to the field.

5. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein

It's difficult to imagine Jayden Daniels being dramatically better in 2025 compared to his rookie season. What would that even look like? He'd need to be in the MVP conversation and possibly lead the Washington Commanders to the Super Bowl.

Those potential achievements are possible, though lofty. Instead, incremental growth should be the benchmark for his sophomore campaign.

Everything went right for Daniels as a rookie. The same could have been said of the Houston Texans' CJ Stroud a year earlier. The latter didn't take a huge leap forward in Year 2 after many already placed him among the league's best. Stroud wasn't terrible during his second campaign, but he experienced his share bumps along the way.

The primary goal in Daniels' case should be to avoid regression. He can do so by improving on the little things that turn talented quarterbacks into great signal-callers.

This year, Daniels is taking full advantage of two future Hall of Famers in Bobby Wagner and Von Miller being a part of the Commanders defense.

"Picking their brains," Daniels said about talking to them and understanding what the defense wants to do. "You want to be able to like, 'What do you see on this,' or 'How do you, what are you looking at when you try to time up a snap,' and stuff like that."

Daniels is already a spectacular talent at the game's most important position. Consistency in his reads, ball placement at all three levels, playmaking ability and leadership will continue to signal potential greatness as a true field general. But he was already pretty great as soon as he stepped onto an NFL field.

4. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/David Zalubowski

Bo Nix was the sixth and final quarterback selected among last year's first-round signal-callers, yet he was set up for success from Day 1.

From an individual standpoint, Nix was a 24-year-old rookie, who was forced to learn multiple systems, led two different successful programs and played in more games than any other quarterback in FBS history. He was the quintessential mature quarterback prospect.

Nix also benefited from playing for an outstanding and experienced offensive mind in Sean Payton, whose system he fit like a glove.

When all of these factors were taken into account, a relatively strong first year wasn't surprising in the least. The Denver Broncos now expect to build upon that performance, which included a postseason appearance.

The question regarding Nix from this point forward is how much more can the Broncos squeeze out of him? Prior to being drafted, many viewed Nix as having a limited ceiling. He doesn't have Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels' natural play-making ability. He lacks the raw horsepower of Drake Maye's arm. Michael Penix Jr. is a better downfield passer. J.J. McCarthy had more upside as a young prospect. It's up to Nix to get the most out of his skill set.

As noted earlier, Nix has already used Drew Brees as a sounding board. The second-year quarterback also worked with the venerable Tom House to discuss and clean up his mechanics.

"I think that's what's really impressive about Bo is his competitive nature of just trying to get the most out of himself every single day," right tackle Mike McGlinchey told reporters. "That ability to stack those days is why he improved so vastly and so fast as the season went on last year. I only expect the same things from him this year."

3. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Mike Stewart

The Atlanta Falcons' Michael Penix Jr. has the widest gap between what was seen on the field last year and what could be this season.

The reason behind the previous statement is simple: He's the only one of the six rookies to play sparingly last season, while being handed the offense this year.

Atlanta stunned everyone by announcing Penix's selection with last year's eighth overall pick after signing Kirk Cousins as the top free-agent agent quarterback. By Week 16, Cousins had been benched, and the Falcons became the Penix show.

In his three starts, the rookie completed 58 percent of his passes for 737 yards, four total touchdowns and three interceptions. Much more is expected from Penix this fall. However, no guarantee exists that he'll thrive.

For the second-year quarterback, the upcoming season is about how he adapts and adjusts to opposing defenses, while building a strong rapport with the Falcons' talented skill-position performers.

"[Penix and wide receiver Drake London] were able to connect in the offseason together, and then obviously we've been on the grass for a couple of weeks now, but I think it'll just continue to grow for the limited amount of reps that they did have going into those games," offensive coordinator Zac Robinson told reporters. "And very impressive to see ... they might've prepped a play one time in practice, and they took it to the field and had success. So, I think it continues to grow."

The Falcons wanted a succession plan in place. They got one. Now, Penix must prove his a viable long-term starting option.

2. Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears

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The Chicago Bears were a disaster last year, and rookie quarterback Caleb Williams suffered as a result. The organization has done a tremendous job this offseason to better position Williams in Year 2.

His offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, was fired after nine games. Head coach Matt Eberflus didn't make it to December before being dismissed as well. To top it off, Williams was the most sacked quarterback in the NFL last year.

"At times, Williams said he would watch film alone, with no instruction or guidance from the coaches," Seth Wickersham detailed in his book American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback. "'No one tells me what to watch," Caleb Williams told his dad. 'I just turn it on.'"

The Bears did everything in their power to improve Williams' situation. First, they hired the top offensive mind, Ben Johnson, among the head coaching candidates. Second, general manager Ryan Poles solidified Chicago's offensive interior with the acquisitions of left guard Joe Thuney, center Drew Dalman and right guard Jonah Jackson. Finally, the team added more offensive firepower with the first- and second-round additions of tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III.

Everything now falls on Williams to be better. He needs to process quicker. He can't hold onto the ball as long, even with his unique ability to extend plays. The goal is to become a more efficient football player.

"I told him I would love for him this season to complete 70 percent of his balls," Johnson said, per ESPN's Courtney Cronin. "So, you would like to think that over the course of practice that we're completing 70 percent or more, or that's hard to just magically arise in a game. It's a lofty goal, but it's one we're going to strive for. Because of that, we're going to use that as a benchmark and kind of work from there."

1. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Drake Maye looked like a veteran carrying the New England Patriots offense at points during his first season. Imagine how good he can be if the Patriots had significantly more talent around him. Well, they will this season.

New England experienced tremendous all-around improvement from its coaching staff to the supporting cast based on the organization's offseason additions.

The coaching staff is an obvious starting point. Jerod Mayo wasn't prepared to be an NFL head coach. Whereas Mike Vrabel is an established coach, whose Tennessee Titans teams were known for their preparation and excellence in regards to situational football. Furthermore, Josh McDaniels is a proven offensive coordinator. Previously, Alex Van Pelt wasn't a play-caller at any of his earlier NFL stops.

"He does a great job of giving me points where I can improve, points where, 'Hey, maybe do this,'" Maye said of Vrabel. "I think he's also kind of letting me go, kind of seeing where I'm at. And I think it's kind of a challenge for me to kind of lead this football team and lead this offense."

From a roster standpoint, the Patriots fielded the league's worst roster in 2024, particularly at the skill positions. A significant overhaul ensued this offseason.

At wide receiver and running back, New England added Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, as well as second- and third-round rookies TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams. Up front, this year's fourth overall draft pick, left tackle Will Campbell, will anchor a new-look unit that now features veteran right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury.

With these improved areas, Maye will be asked to drive the ball down the field and take advantage of his big arm more than a year ago after he ranked 33rd in throws 20-plus yards downfield, according to Pro Football Focus.

As long as Maye doesn't revert to Captain Checkdown, while also looking to pass a little longer when he breaks the pocket, he has the potential to enter elite status during the upcoming season.